Show of unity at CeCe Winans concert

ORGANISERS for award-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans' Trinidad leg of her More Than This tour is deeming it a success.

It's not the almost 14,000 tickets sold that have Gates Praise leader Pastor David Charles celebrating victory. Instead, it's the unity he witnessed among attendees coming from every section of the population.

"I think it was a great success in terms of what we set out to do- create a space where people can encounter the presence of God and that was done."

The July 31 concert was held between 6 pm and 9.30 pm at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain. It had acts from local gospel singer Jaron Nurse, Guyana’s Samuel Medas and Gates Praise itself. The 17-time Grammy Award winning artiste was the feature act.

Coming just one day before African Emancipation Day celebrations, Charles said it was an event that offered people spiritual freedom.

"As an opener to our emancipation celebration, we were celebrating the freedom of the spirit of God.

"When we worship, we believe that God comes and when he comes it's like the manufacturer. He wouldn't leave things the same. Things get replaced, renewed, refreshed."

Charles said he was pleased to see families and people from all walks of life attend, singing praises to God.

He said they were able to accommodate marginalised children from various homes through their sponsors like Persad's D Food King, Acropolis Medical Centre, Rickel Services Ltd and Special Elite Investigations Security Ltd.

In an interview with reporters at the event, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she would not have missed the concert for anything in the world. She reminded that Winans' Goodness of God was played along her campaign trail to the April 28 polls. Given the large turnout of younger generations, she said she believed they were returning to faith.

"I think Gen Zs are going back to God and going back to churches, which is a good thing for our country. It's a global issue, in fact, where more people are going back to church or at least those who were not there before, are now going to church and giving praise to the Lord."

She described the concert as electrifying and inspiring, leaving her feeling blessed.

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Barry Padarath, who also attended, told Newsday he too was heartened by the many young faces he saw in attendance.

"I think it augurs well for TT and I hope that CeCe and other artistes of her genre would visit a little bit more often. Maybe it's something that we need to embark on, providing avenues for hope."

Padarath's wish may come true as Charles said Gates Praise already has plans underway to bring another international gospel singer in 2026.

"We've been planning for before this for the next. We did not wait. We already have some things in place and we just waiting for the confirmation before we strike the ground again."

Though he wished one of these events could be hosted monthly, he said there would be smaller ones until the next big worship event. He said feedback on the sound system and parking accommodations was heard and would be improved for the next event.

Padarath said Persad-Bissessar introduced him to Winans' music. Despite being a devout Hindu, he said her song Goodness of God is a staple on his playlist and, along with her other songs, often helps give him inspiration and strength during trying times in his life.

Trinidad was the 48th stop on Winans' tour, after which she headed to Jamaica.

"We're really happy to be a part of the belt. I think it's more than 48 stops. So to be part of a global tour was very much encouraging and grateful to have her."

Charles said it was a great honour to have the Prime Minister and opposition leaders join them in worship.

"We look to leaders for answers, but it's amazing when leaders could look to God for answers."

Also attending the concert was St Ann's East MP Dr Nyan Gadsby Dolly, who described the event as a wonderful worship experience.

"I've loved CeCe's music since I was a teen, so experiencing her live was epic."

Former minister of social development and family services Donna Cox, who was at the event, described it as very uplifting, especially to see thousands of people from every race and religious denomination join together in praise.

"Jesus is the answer for the world today. The problems in our society today can be fixed if we turn back to God. As I looked at the audience last night, I remembered the scripture verse which says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 ‘if my people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.' We all have a part to play to allow the healing of our land to take place."